Fans want Cruden but Cooper may pick Ripia

BY TOBY ROBSON

Manawatu star Aaron Cruden may be eased in, rather than unleashed, on the Super 14 this season.

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper appears to be leaning towards handing the more experienced Willie Ripia the No 10 jersey for Friday's season opener against the Blues in Albany.

It would be a decision at odds with the franchise's fan base, with a poll on the Hurricanes' website last night showing overwhelming support for Cruden to be thrown in the deep end.

As of last night, Cruden had 61.8 percent – or 1435 votes – in a poll that asked who should start the season at No 10, with Piri Weepu on 21.7 percent (503 votes). Ripia had just 385 votes, or 16.6 percent.

However, Ripia has been the more dominant figure during the pre-season, starting in all three of the Hurricanes' matches, and would be the sensible, if slightly conservative, bet to take the reins initially.

Last season, the Hurricanes coaches threw young age-grade prodigy Dan Kirkpatrick into a starting role at No 10 with mixed results, and Cooper admitted it had been a learning experience.

"We know it's a big step up and it's about managing players. There are some lessons learned from last year, so we just have to make sure we manage Aaron and work out whether it is best for him to start or come off the bench," he said.

"That will come down to how he's gone in the pre-season, how he is physically and the opposition we are playing.

"Willie is going really well and the young fella is coming on too. We are still working through which is the best starter and which is the best off the bench."

Kirkpatrick struggled in the starting role during the opening two games of last year's Super 14 and was replaced by Ripia for the rest of the season.

Ripia played strongly before a disappointing effort in the semifinal loss to the Chiefs.

"Willie is a very good attacker and he's got better and better. He has a lot of experience and that has to come into account," Cooper said.

"He played very well last year, but because we didn't win the semi that has probably affected him and affected the whole team.

"The No 10 has so much pressure on him. When things don't go well, you are usually looking at the 10 or the nine, and I think last year a lot of that pressure from outside the group went on him. There's a lot of learning there from us as coaches.

"The 10 is a major, major decision for coaches in any team, I think. He's certainly a better player and been showing that."

Cruden undoubtedly carries a weight of expectation from Hurricanes fans after starring at national age-grade level and for Manawatu during the Air New Zealand Cup.

He admits the step up to Super 14 level is taking some adjustment but is clearly keen to test himself further during the season proper if given the chance.

"Probably the pace of the game and the physicality. Those are the things I thought would be a major difference from the Air New Zealand Cup and they seem to be the main things at the moment," Cruden said.

"It's a challenge and that's what you want. The pace of the game steps up, but you get that every level you step up in footy. It's good, I'm enjoying the challenge."

Ironically, Blues coach Pat Lam has the choice of starting Kirkpatrick against the Hurricanes, though most expect Canterbury recruit Stephen Brett to get first crack at first-five.

The TAB are clearly expecting the Hurricanes to have a strong season, installing them yesterday as $1.60 favourites to start the season with a win against the Blues ($2.25).

- © Fairfax NZ News